1.4m Nigerians to benefit from FG’s livestock support programme
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) initiative by the federal government is set to benefit 1.4 million people across the country, revealed Hananiel Albert, Taraba State coordinator of the programme.
Speaking at the inauguration of the state Steering Committee and the State Technical Committee for the programme in Jalingo on Wednesday, Albert emphasized that 30 per cent of the beneficiaries will be women, underscoring the positive impact the programme will have on their living standards.
He further announced that 40,000 people in the state, with a focus on livestock value chains including cattle,
The Federal Government has secured a N65b loan from the African Development Bank to bolster agricultural productivity for sheep, goat, and poultry, are expected to benefit from the initiative. Albert highlighted that the deliberate choice of these classes of livestock in the state was due to the comparative and competitive advantage that Taraba State has over other states in the North East geographical zone of the country.
The beneficiaries will encompass a broad spectrum of livestock producers, animal feed suppliers, equipment dealers, marketers, transporters, animal product processors, input suppliers, off-takers, among others, according to Albert. He emphasized that the L-PRES initiative will provide extension and animal health services, as well as support for livestock infrastructure development for livestock farmers and sector operators.
Key aspects of the project include staple food crops during both dry and wet seasons.
The acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Oluwatoyin Alade, who made this known during a meeting with stakeholders, said the meeting was to evaluate the progress the construction and rehabilitation of livestock markets, abattoirs, slaughter slabs, provision of manual and motorised boreholes, installation of weigh bridges and loading ramps in livestock markets, and the establishment of an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre.
In support of the initiative, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan, expressed confidence that the championed L-PRES project by the World Bank will enhance the livelihoods of secondary and pastoral communities, as well as other livestock farmers in the state.
Governor Agbu Kefas, represented by his deputy Alhaji Aminu Alkali, pledged unwavering support for the committees, ensuring their effective functioning in realising the goals of the L-PRES project.
FG secures N65bn loan for dry season crop production, meets stakeholders
of the 2023/2024 dry season wheat production in 15 states and to strategically plan for the upcoming second phase focusing on rice, maize and cassava.
Under the Policy Base Operations (PBO) initiative, funded by the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), the exercise is poised to roll out across all states and the FCT over the next two years.
Mrs Alade said the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) has a strategic goal of enhancing food production and stabilising agricultural commodity prices while providing crucial farm inputs to small-scale farmers and extending institutional support for long-term sustainability.
As the ministry took stock of the achievements and hurdles encountered during the 2023/2024 Dry Season Wheat Production, it made a firm commitment to rectify any shortcomings and ensure the programme’s integrity.
Emphasis was laid on the imperative adherence to guidelines and principles in supply chain activities and the use of reliable technology systems to promote transparency and accountability.
During the stakeholders’ review and preparatory event for the NAGS-AP, particular attention was given to the previous dry season programme, applauding the distribution of certified wheat seeds and agricultural inputs to farmers.
The official flag-off ceremony in Jigawa State marked the commencement of the 2023/2024 dry season farming.